WHAT IS LIVE FORWARD, GIVE FORWARD?

A gift to your church through your Will could be the most important gift you ever make.

The everyday choices we make matter. How we live now affects not just our future, but the future of our families and our communities.

Live Forward, Give Forward is about making the choice to live and give toward making the future better for those you care about - including your church family. And one way you can do that right now is to make a Will that provides for your family and also blesses your faith community.

“In our good works, nothing is our own.– John Calvin

WHY GIVE THROUGH MY WILL?

When you make a gift in your Will - known as a bequest - you help keep the mission of your church going and growing for future generations. Bequests can:

support existing ministries

create exciting new programs

strengthen your local outreach

educate children & youth

enrich communities close to your heart

It doesn’t cost you anything during your lifetime - but making a gift to your church in your Will is a beautiful way to share the values you cherish with future generations.

“How lovely to think that no one need wait a moment; we can start now, slowly changing the world!– Anne Frank

HOW CAN I MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

You don’t have to be wealthy to make a lasting impact with your gift. In fact, most bequests come from folks just like you. Once received, small gifts can be put to use right way, or invested so they grow in the years to come.

Here are a few different ways you can make a gift to your church:

Give a specific dollar amount

Give a percentage of your net worth

Give a remainder amount - what’s left after family and other obligations are met

I give and bequeath the sum of $____ to be used for the general program of (Name of Church) in (City, State), USA.

“Tis in the act of giving that we live.– William Hall

*A Will is unique and must be structured to fit the needs and estate plans of each individual in accordance with the laws of the state in which they live. For this reason, you should consult a lawyer to assist you in drafting your Will and estate plan.

I HAVE MORE QUESTIONS

If you have questions about how to make a gift in your will, or how such a gift might be used in your church, talk to your pastor or church leader involved in giving programs.

The Presbyterian Foundation also has more information about Wills and Bequests:

“We accomplish in our lifetime only a tiny fraction of the magnificent enterprise that is God’s work... We may never see the end results, but that is the difference between the master builder and the worker. We are workers, not master builders; ministers, not messiahs. We are prophets of a future that is not our own.– Archbishop Oscar Romero

ARE YOU A CHURCH LEADER?

The Live Forward, Give Forward Wills Program is designed to make it easier for you to communicate with the members in your church about joyful giving through bequests. Learn more about starting or enhancing your Wills Program. A growing library of resources are available to assist you, but the best way to start is to download the Program Kit.